Hot Beverage Brewer for Multiple Volumes

ABSTRACT

Systems ( 100 ) and methods ( 2800 ) for operating a hot beverage brewer. The methods include receiving a brew basket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets ( 900, 1400, 1800 ) within a basket chamber ( 402 ) of the hot beverage brewer. At least two of the plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are of different brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of a beverage substance. Thereafter, the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects the brew basket type associated with the brew basket residing within the basket chamber; selects first operations from a plurality of operations that should be performed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type which was previously detected; and performs the first operations by the hot beverage brewer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/687,484 filed on Apr. 15, 2015, whichclaims benefit from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/979,602 whichwas filed on Apr. 15, 2014, and that is incorporated in its entiretyherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This document relates generally to home appliances. More particularly,this document relates to hot beverage brewers that can selectively brewa variable volume of coffee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hot beverage brewers are well known in art for use in brewing coffee,tea, etc. There are many different types of hot beverage brewersemploying various brewing techniques and principles. In some scenarios,water is poured into a separate chamber and coffee grounds are disposedin a paper filter which is located above a coffee pot. Thereafter, thewater is heated and directed into a funnel from which it drips throughthe coffee grounds and into the coffee pot, thereby making coffee.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure concerns implementing systems and methods foroperating a hot beverage brewer. The methods involve receiving a brewbasket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets within a basketchamber of the hot beverage brewer. At least two of the plurality ofinterchangeable brew baskets are of different brew basket types anddesigned to hold different amounts of a beverage substance. Thereafter,the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects the brew basket typeassociated with the brew basket residing within the basket chamber;selects first operations from a plurality of operations that should beperformed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type whichwas previously detected; and performs the first operations.

In some scenarios, the different brew basket types comprise a large brewbasket type for use with carafes and a small basket type for use withsingle serve containers. Each of the interchangeable brew basketscomprises at least one peg coupled thereto for triggering performance ofrespective operations of the plurality of operations by the hot beveragebrewer. The automatic detection of the brew basket type is facilitatedby engagement of a portion of the brew basket with a triggeringmechanism of the hot beverage brewer. The triggering mechanism comprisesa mechanical triggering mechanism, an optical triggering mechanism, anelectrical triggering mechanism, or a magnetic triggering mechanism.Thus, the engagement may cause a depression of a button, an actuation ofa switch, or creation of closed electrical circuit.

The first operations comprise at least one of the following operations;discontinuing a display of a visual indicator; selecting at least twovisual indicators or virtual buttons from a plurality of visualindicators or virtual buttons; optionally enabling functionality ofselected virtual buttons; facilitating a display of selected visualindicators or virtual buttons on a display; setting a brew temperature;and setting a flow rate. The plurality of visual indicators or virtualbuttons allow a user of the hot beverage brewer to specify a particularvalue for a volume parameter that is appropriate for the type ofcontainer in which the brewed hot beverage is to be disposed.

The present disclosure also concerns an apparatus. The apparatuscomprises a hot beverage brewer with a basket chamber having a firstaperture to direct a fluid to a carafe and a second aperture to directthe fluid to a single serve container. The first and second aperturesare disposed at respective locations spatially offset from each other. Aplurality of interchangeable brew baskets is provided that are ofdifferent brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of abeverage substance. A first brew basket of the plurality ofinterchangeable brew baskets comprises a first outlet having a locationthat aligns with the first aperture when the first brew basket isdisposed in said basket chamber. A second brew basket of the pluralityof interchangeable brew baskets comprises a second outlet having alocation that aligns with the second aperture when the second brewbasket is disposed in the basket chamber. A spout is provided fordirecting a fluid into a single serve container that is pivotablycoupled to the hot beverage brewer.

During operations, the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects a brewbasket type associated with a brew basket residing within the basketchamber; selects first operations from a plurality of operations basedon the brew basket type which was previously detected; and performs thefirst operations. The automatic detection of the brew basket type isfacilitated by engagement of a portion of the brew basket with atriggering mechanism of the hot beverage brewer. The first operationscomprise at least one of the following operations: discontinuing adisplay of a visual indicator; selecting at least two visual indicatorsor virtual buttons from a plurality of visual indicators or virtualbuttons; optionally enabling functionality of selected virtual buttons;facilitating a display of selected visual indicators or virtual buttonson a display; setting a brew temperature; and setting a flow rate. Theplurality of visual indicators or virtual buttons allow a user of thehot beverage brewer to specify a particular value for a volume parameterthat is appropriate for the type of container in which the brewed hotbeverage is to be disposed.

The present disclosure further concerns a multi-mode hot beveragebrewer. The multi-mode hot beverage brewer comprises: a main body; abasket chamber; a spout; and a plurality of interchangeable brewbaskets. The basket chamber has a first aperture to direct a fluid to acarafe and a second aperture to direct the fluid to a single servecontainer. The first and second apertures are disposed at respectivelocations spatially offset from each other. The spout is pivotablycoupled to the main body and provided for guiding the fluid from thebasket chamber to the single serve container. Each of theinterchangeable brew baskets causes respective operations of themulti-mode hot beverage brewer to be triggered based on a type of brewbasket disposed within the basket chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawingfigures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout thefigures, and in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 each provide a front perspective view of an exemplaryhot beverage brewer.

FIGS. 4 and 5 provide schematic illustrations of a basket chamber and abrew basket.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of various internal components of thehot beverage brewer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the computing device shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the display and keypad shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 each providea schematic illustration that is useful for understanding a respectivefilter basket arrangement of the hot beverage brewer shown in FIG. 1 forcarafe scenarios.

FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 each provide a schematic illustrationthat is useful for understanding a respective filter basket arrangementof the hot beverage brewer shown in FIG. 1 for single serve containerscenarios.

FIG. 28 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for operating a hotbeverage brewer.

FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of an exploded assembly view of ahot beverage brewer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments asgenerally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures couldbe arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments.While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings,the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in ail respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout the specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light ofthe description herein, that the invention can be practiced without oneor more of the specific features or advantages of a particularembodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages maybe recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in allembodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicatedembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”,and similar language throughout this specification may, hut do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

As used in this document, the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” includeplural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unlessdefined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including,but not limited to”.

This document concerns home appliances, such as hot beverage brewers(e.g., coffee and/or tea brewers). Schematic illustrations of exemplaryarchitectures for hot beverage brewers are provided in FIGS. 1-5. Aschematic illustration of an exploded assembly view the a hot beveragebrewer is provided in FIG. 29. Traditionally, consumers have twoseparate hot beverage brewers, namely a carafe style hot beverage brewerand a single serve style hot beverage brewer. This two appliancerequirement is undesirable for many reasons generally understood bythose skilled in the art. As such, the present invention addresses thisissue by providing a single unit hot beverage brewer capable of brewinga hot beverage into a carafe and/or a single serve container during anygiven brewing cycle. The hot beverage is brewed at optimal temperatureand speed so as to have the best extraction of flavor from crushedbeans, seeds, spices or leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves)disposed in the hot beverage brewer.

In this regard, the hot beverage brewer 100 is generally configured toselectively brew a variable volume of a hot beverage (e.g., coffee ortea) into a carafe 102 (as shown in FIG. 1) or a variable volume ofcoffee or tea into a single serve container 202, 302 (as shown in FIG.2). Carafes and single serve containers are well known in the art, andtherefore will not be described herein. Still, it should be understoodthat the carafes 102 can include, but are not limited to, a glass carafeas shown in FIG. 1 or a thermal carafe (not shown). In some scenarios,the thermal carafe has a mechanism disposed therein for providingnotification to the hot beverage brewer that it is to be used to storethe brewed beverage during a particular brewing cycle. The mechanism caninclude, but is not limited to, a magnet. The mechanism can also triggercertain operations of the hot beverage brewer, such as a volumeadjustment. The single serve container 202 can include, but is notlimited to, a coffee cup or mug 202 as shown in FIG. 2 or a thermos 302as shown in FIG. 3.

In the carafe scenarios, a carafe portion 108 of the hot beverage brewer100 is used. The carafe portion 108 uses gravity to brew the hotbeverage. For example, hot water is dripped into a brew basket 400including crushed beans, seeds, spices or leaves (e.g., coffee groundsor tea leaves). The brew basket 400 is located in a basket chamber 402below a dripper (not shown in FIGS. 1-3) from which the hot water drips.The hot water then travels through the crushed beans/seeds/spices/leaves(e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves) and into an aperture 502 formed ina bottom surface of the basket chamber 402. After passing through theaperture 502, the hot beverage flows into the carafe 102 located belowthe brew basket.

In the single serve scenarios, a single serve portion 204 of the hotbeverage brewer 100 is used. The single serve portion 204 also usesgravity to brew the hot beverage. However, the hot water is directed toa spout 206 (via an aperture 504 formed in a ledge 506 extending out andaway from a sidewall 508 of the basket chamber 402) subsequent topassing through the crushed beans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffeegrounds or tea leaves), instead of to an area 208 in which the carafe102 can be placed. The spout 206 is provided so that a plurality ofdifferent sized single serve containers 202, 302 can be accommodated bythe hot beverage brewer 100. In this regard, the position of the spout206 can be adjusted simply by pivoting the spout about a pivot point210.

Notably, a brewed hot beverage can be concurrently or simultaneouslydirected to a carafe and a single serve container. In these scenarios,the hot water is directed through both apertures 502 and 504 during abrewing cycle. As should be appreciated the brew basket employed in thisscenario will have two offset outlets to enable such concurrent orsimultaneous operations (e.g., outlets 1202 of FIG. 12 and 2106 of FIG.21).

Brewing operations of the hot beverage brewer 100 will now be discussedin more detail in relation to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the hotbeverage brewer 100 comprises a plurality of internal components602-622. These internal components include, but are not limited to, awater tank 602, solenoid valves 604, 606, a boiler 608, a vent 610, anair pump 612, an air tube 614, a shower head (or dripper) 616, aninterchangeable brew basket 618, a hot water tube 620, a computingdevice 622, a hot plate 624 and a basket chamber 626. Notably, a singleheating system is provided for brewing hot beverages into a carafeand/or a single serve container.

Operations of the beverage brewer will be discussed below in relation toa carafe scenario. Still, it should be understood that the operations ofthe beverage brewer in a single serve scenario are the same or similarto those described below. For example, in some cases, the only change inthe following discussion in the single serve scenarios would be whichbrew basket is employed.

During operation, a carafe (e.g., carafe 102 of FIG. 1) is placed on ahot plate 624 or a single cup container is placed under the pitvotablespout (e.g. spout 206 of FIG. 2). Also, a brew basket 618 is selectedfrom a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets. The brew baskets aredesigned to hold different amounts of crushed beans, seeds, spices orleaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves). For example, a first one ofthe brew baskets can hold a relatively large amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (“large brew basket”), while a second one ofthe brew baskets can hold a relatively small amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (“small brew basket”). Next, the selected brewbasket 618 is disposed in a basket chamber 626 and filled with thecrushed beans/seeds/spices/leaves. Water is also poured into the watertank 602, where it will be heated to a certain temperature.

Notably, at least one peg 628 is disposed on or coupled to each of thebrew baskets. Each peg 628 provides a means for triggering certainoperations of the hot beverage brewer 100 based on the type of brewbasket being used. In this regard, the peg 628 may be formed of anysuitable material such as plastic or metal. Also, a different number ofpegs can be provided on a large brew basket as compared to that providedon the small brew basket. For example, two pegs can be provided with alarge brew basket. While only one peg is provided with a small brewbasket (or vice versa).

In the plastic scenarios, the peg 628 may engage a mechanical triggeringmechanism or an optical triggering mechanism. For example, the peg 628may depress a respective button of a plurality of push buttons oractuate a respective switch 630 of a plurality of switches when therespective brew basket 618 is placed in the basket chamber 626. In themetal scenarios, the peg 628 may engage an electrical triggeringmechanism or a magnetic triggering mechanism. For example, the peg 628may engage two conductive contacts so as to close an electrical circuit.

Such engagement of the peg with the triggering mechanism causes the hotbeverage brewer 100 to perform certain operations. For example, thecomputing device 622 of the hot beverage brewer 100 (1) may discontinuedisplaying a visual indicator (e.g., an “Add Basket” visual indicator804 of FIG. 8) on a display (e.g., display 104 of FIG. 1) thereof, (2)select at least two visual indicators from a plurality of visualindicators based on the type of brew basket disposed in the basketchamber 626, (3) facilitate the display of the selected visualindicators on a display (e.g., display 104 of FIG. 1), (4) select atleast two virtual buttons from a plurality of virtual buttons based onthe type of brew basket disposed in the basket chamber 626, (5) enablethe selected virtual buttons, (6) facilitate the display of the selectedvirtual buttons on a touch screen display (e.g., display 104 of FIG. 1,(7) set a brew temperature, and/or (8) set a flow rate. The displayedvisual indicators and/or virtual buttons allow a user of the hotbeverage brewer 100 to specify a particular value for a volume parameterthat is appropriate for the type of container in which the brewed hotbeverage is to be disposed (e.g., a carafe or a single serve container).In the case that the virtual buttons are not provided, then the user canspecify the particular value for the volume parameter as indicated bythe visual indicators using a “Brew Size” button 810 of key pad 106.

Schematic illustrations of exemplary visual indicators or virtualbuttons are provided in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the visual indicator804 is shown if a brew basket is not present in the basket chamber ofthe beverage brewer. Visual indicator 806 is shown if there is no waterin the unit at all or there is not enough water for the selected volumeof brewing. Visual indicators or virtual buttons 802 are operative tofacilitate a user selection of a 12 cup value, a 10 cup value, a 6 cupvalue, a 16 ounce value, a 12 ounce value and an 8 ounce value. When alarge brew basket is detected within the basket chamber 626 via thepeg(s), then the visual indicators or virtual buttons for user-selectionof 6 cups, 10 cups and 12 cups are displayed and/or enabled. Incontrast, when a small brew basket is detected within the basket chamber626 via the peg(s), then the visual indicators or virtual buttons foruser-selection of 8 ounce, 12 ounce and 16 ounce are displayed and/orenabled. The present invention is not limited to these specific volumeand display configurations.

In response to the user-selection of a volume parameter value, thecomputing device 622 controls internal components 604-612 and 616 forbrewing coffee. For example, the computing device 622 performsoperations (1) to determine how much water is currently present in thewater tank 602, and (2) to determine whether the current amount of waterin the water tank is approximately equal to or less than the amountspecified by the user selected visual indicator or virtual button 802.If the current amount of water in the water tank is less than the userselected volume parameter value, then an “Add Water” visual indicator isdisplayed on the display 104. Also, at this time, a “Brew Now/Off” key808 is disabled. The “Brew Now/Off” key 808 is re-enabled only when adetection is made that the correct amount of water is in the water tank602. A visual indicator may be provided adjacent to, around or inproximity to the “Brew Now/Off” key 808 so that the user is informedabout the current state of the “Brew Now/Off” key 808. For example, insome scenarios, light is emitted around the “Brew Now/Off” key 808 whenit is enabled or disabled.

In response to the depression of the enabled “Brew Now/Off” key 808, thehot beverage is brewed by: transferring the water from the water tank602 to the boiler 608 vi air pump 612; heating the water to a particulartemperature at the boiler 408; transferring the hot water to the showerhead 616 via the hot water tube 620, when a detection is made (e.g., bya temperature sensor not shown) that the water has been heated to theparticular temperature; and dripping the hot water from the shower head616 into the brew basket 618. Gravity causes the hot water to passthrough the brew basket 618 and into the carafe. The brewed beverage inthe carafe is kept warm via hot plate 624.

A more detailed block, diagram of the computing device 622 is providedin FIG. 7. As shown in MG. 7, the computing device 622 may include moreor less components than those shown in FIG. 7. However, the componentsshown are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment implementingthe present invention. Some or all of the components of the computingdevice 622 can be implemented in hardware, software and/or a combinationof hardware and software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to,one or more electronic circuits. The electronic circuits can include,but are not limited to, passive components (e.g., resistors andcapacitors) and/or active components (e.g., amplifiers and/ormicroprocessors). The passive and/or active components can be adaptedto, arranged to and/or programmed to perform one or more of themethodologies, procedures, or functions described herein.

As shown in FIG. 7, the computing device 622 comprises a user interface706, a Central Processing Unit (“CPU”) 702, a memory 704, and hardwareentities 722. The user interface can include input devices 708 (e.g., akeypad 106 and/or a microphone 714) and output devices 710 (e.g.,speaker 716, a display 104, and/or LEDs 720), which facilitateuser-software interactions for controlling operations of the hotbeverage brewer 100.

At least some of the hardware entities 722 perform actions involvingaccess to and use of memory 704. Which can be a Random Access Memory(“RAM”), a disk driver and/or a Compact Disc Read Only Memory(“CD-ROM”). Hardware entities 722 can include a disk drive unit 724comprising a computer-readable storage medium 726 on which is stored oneor more sets of instructions 750 (e.g., software code) configured toimplement one or more of the methodologies, procedures, or functionsdescribed herein. The instructions 750 can also reside, completely or atleast partially, within the memory 704 and/or within the CPU 702 duringexecution thereof by the computing device 622. The memory 704 and theCPU 702 also can constitute machine-readable media. The term“machine-readable media”, as used here, refers to a single medium ormultiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions 750. The term “machine-readable media”, as used here, alsorefers to any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying aset of instructions 750 for execution by the computing device 622 andthat cause the computing device 622 to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the hardware entities 722include an electronic circuit (e.g., a processor) programmed forfacilitating the control of a hot beverage brewer. In this regard, itshould be understood that the electronic circuit can access and run atleast one software application 752 installed on the computing device622. The software application 752 is generally operative to facilitatebrewing coffee. In this regard, the software application 752 implementssome or all of the coffee brewing processes described herein.

Exemplary architectures for the interchangeable brew baskets will now bedescribed in detail in relation to FIGS. 9-21. More specifically, afirst exemplary architecture for a small brew basket is shown in FIGS.9-13, a second exemplary architecture for a small brew basket is shownin FIGS. 14-17 and a third exemplary architecture for a large brewbasket is shown in FIGS. 18-21. Notably, the small brew baskets of FIGS.9-13 and 14-17 are configured to hold a smaller amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves) than thelarge brew basket of FIGS. 18-21.

Also, the large and small brew baskets can have the same or differentnumber of pegs coupled thereto. The pegs may have any shape and/or sizeselected in accordance with a particular application. If the large andsmall brew baskets have the same number of pegs, then the pegs will beplaced at different relative locations thereon. For example, two pegs ofthe large brew basket reside in proximity to a front right cornerthereof, while two pegs of the small brew basket reside in proximity toa front left corner thereof. Alternatively, both sets of pegs reside inproximity to the same corner of the large and small brew baskets buthave different spacing between the two pegs.

As noted above, the pegs provide a means for triggering certainoperations of the hot beverage brewer based on the type of brew basketbeing used. These operations can include, but are not limited to, (1)setting a brew temperature, (2) setting a flow rate, (3) discontinuingthe display of certain icons, identifiers or other information on adisplay, and/or (4) enabling/displaying select visual indicators orvirtual buttons. The pegs may be fixedly or removably secured to thebrew baskets. The removable pegs allow the user to customize whichoperations (1)-(4) are to be triggered thereby. For example, a firstperson prefers coffee at a first temperature and a second person preferscoffee at a second different temperature. A peg can be placed at a firstlocation on the brew basket to indicate the user-selection of the firsttemperature or at a second location on the brew basket to indicate theuser-selection of the second temperature. The same technique can be usedto select a flow rate. The present invention is not limited to theparticulars of this example.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the small brew basket 900 comprises a mainbody 902 and an integrated pod 904. A handle 1102 is coupled to the mainbody 902 to facilitate the brew baskets insertion into and removal fromthe basket chamber 402 of the hot beverage brewer 100. All of thesecomponents 902, 904, 1102 can be formed of any suitable material such asplastic.

The integrated pod 904 includes a hinged lid 1002 coupled to a pivotmember 1008. The hinged lid 1002 allows access to a pan 1004. The pan1004 is sized and shaped to receive a certain amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves).

Two filters 1006, 1010 are provided as well. A first filter 1010 isprovided on the hinged lid 1002, while a second filter 1006 is providedin the pan 1004. In effect, hot water passes through filter 1010 uponentry into the pan 1004 and passes through filter 1006 upon exit fromthe pan 1004. The filters 1006, 1010 may be formed of the same ordifferent filtration materials. The filtration materials include, butare not limited to, wire meshes and activated carbon based materials.The wire mesh can be formed of a nylon, polyester or stainless steel.The aperture sizing of the wire mesh can be the same or different forthe first filter 1010 and the second filer 1006. In some scenarios,filter 1010 is designed to filter contaminants from the hot water.Accordingly, filter 1010 may include a plurality of filtration layers.For example, filter 1010 may include two mesh layers having an activatedcarbon layer disposed therebetween. The two mesh layers may have thesame or different aperture sizing.

Two pegs 1204, 1206 are coupled to sidewalls 1208, 1210 of the main body902. The pegs are shown as being fixedly secured to the sidewalk 1208,1210. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard. Thepegs could alternatively be removably secured to the sidewalls 1208,1210. Also, there may be more or less pegs than that shown in FIGS.9-13. The peg(s) provide a means for triggering certain operations ofthe hot beverage brewer based on the type of brew basket being used, asdiscussed above. These operations can include, but are not limited to,(1) setting a brew temperature, (2) setting a flow rate, (3)discontinuing the display of certain icons, identifiers or otherinformation on a display, and/or (4) enabling/displaying select visualindicators or virtual buttons.

A spout line fitting 1202 is provided to guide the hot water to aperture504 of the basket chamber 402. In effect, the hot water is directedtowards the spout 206 and into a single serve container during a brewcycle.

Notably, the brew basket 900 is designed such that a certain amount ofpressure (e.g., 2 psi) builds inside the integrated pod 904 during abrew cycle. In this regard, water is pumped into the integrated pod 904through an opening which is larger than the opening out of theintegrated pod 904. Also, two O-ring gaskets 1302, 1304 are provided tofacilitate such pressurization, as well as prevent water from leakingout of the integrated pod 904 via paths other than the spout linefitting 1202.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-47, the small brew basket 1400 comprises amain body 1402 and a removable pod 1404. A first handle 1608 is coupledto the main body 1402 to facilitate the brew baskets insertion into andremoval from the basket chamber 402 of the hot beverage brewer 100. Asecond handle 1602 is coupled to the removable pod 1404 to facilitatethe insertion into and removal from a cavity 1610 formed in the mainbody 1402. This enables relatively easier cleaning of the pod 1404,and/or the ability to use a plurality of interchangeable pods. Theinterchangeable pods can be designed to hold different amounts ofcrushed beans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves).If the interchangeable pods are not employed, then a plurality ofmeasurement lines can be provided on an inner sidewall surface of theremovable pod 1404. All of these components 1402, 1404, 1602, 1608 canbe formed of any suitable material such as plastic.

The removable pod 1404 includes a hinged lid 1604 coupled to a pivotmember 1704. The hinged lid 1604 allows access to a pan 1606. The pan1606 is sized and shaped to receive a certain amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves).

Two filters 1406, 1408 are provided as well. A first filter 1406 isprovided on the hinged lid 1604, while a second filter 1408 is providedin bottom of the pan 1606. In effect, hot water passes through firstfilter 1406 upon entry into the pan 1606 and passes through the secondfilter 1408 upon exit from the pan 1606. The filters 1406, 1408 may beformed of the same or different filtration materials. The filtrationmaterials include, but are not limited to, wire meshes and activatedcarbon based materials. The wire mesh can be formed of a nylon,polyester or stainless steel. The aperture sizing of the wire mesh canbe the same or different for the first filter 1406 and the second filter1408. In some scenarios, the first filter 1406 is designed to filtercontaminants from the hot water. Accordingly, the first filter 1406 mayinclude a plurality of filtration layers. For example, the first filter1406 may include two mesh layers having an activated carbon layerdisposed therebetween. The two mesh layers may have the same ordifferent aperture sizing.

Two pegs 1506, 1508 are coupled to sidewalls 1510, 1512 of the main body1402. The pegs are shown as being fixedly secured to the sidewalk 1510,1512. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard. Thepegs could alternatively be removably secured to the sidewalls 1510,1.512. Also, there may be more or less pegs than that shown in FIGS.14-47. The peg(s) provide a means for triggering certain operations ofthe hot beverage brewer based on the type of brew basket being used, asdiscussed above. These operations can include, but are not limited to,(1) setting a brew temperature, (2) setting a flow rate, (3)discontinuing the display of certain icons, identifiers or otherinformation on a display, and/or (4) enabling/displaying select visualindicators or virtual buttons.

A spout line fitting 1502 is provided to guide the hot water to aperture504 of the basket chamber 402. In effect, the hot water is directedtowards the spout 206 and into a single serve container during a brewcycle.

Notably, the brew basket 1400 is designed such that a certain amount ofpressure (e.g., 2 psi) builds inside the removable pod 1404 during abrew cycle. In this regard, water is pumped into the removable pod 1404through an opening which is larger than the opening out of the removablepod 1404. Also, two O-ring gaskets 1612, 1702 are provided to facilitatesuch pressurization, as well as prevent water from leaking out of theremovable pod 1404 via paths other than the spout line fitting 1502.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, the large brew basket 1800 comprises amain body 1806 and a removable filter 1804. A first handle 1802 iscoupled to the main body 1806 to facilitate the brew basket's 1800insertion into and removal from the basket chamber 402 of the hotbeverage brewer 100. A second handle 1902 is coupled to the removablefilter 1804 to facilitate the insertion into and removal from a cavity1904 formed in the main body 1806. The removable filter 1804 is sizedand shaped to receive a certain amount of crushedbeans/seeds/spices/leaves (e.g., coffee grounds or tea leaves). Theremovable filter 1804 is formed of one or more filtration materials. Thefiltration materials include, but are not limited to, wire meshes andactivated carbon based materials. The wire mesh can be formed of anylon, polyester or stainless steel.

A plurality of ribs 2002 are formed on an inner bottom surface 2004 ofthe main body 1806. The ribs 2002 are provided to facilitate fluid flowout of an outlet element 2106. The outlet element 2106 is sized andshaped to fit within aperture 502 of the basket chamber 402. The outletelement 2106 is provided to guide the hot water to aperture 502. Ineffect, hot water is directed towards a carafe disposed therebelowduring a brew cycle. Notably, the outlet element 2106 can include, butis not limited to, a pause-and-serve component to ensure that the hotbeverage does not continue to flow therethrough when the carafe isremoved from the beverage brewer during a brewing cycle.

Two pegs 2102, 2104 are coupled to sidewalls 2108, 2110 of the main body1806. The pegs are shown as being fixedly secured to the sidewalls 2108,2110. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard. Thepegs could alternatively be removably secured to the sidewalls 2108,2110. Also, there may be more or less pegs than that shown in FIGS.18-21. As discussed above, the pegs provide a means for triggeringcertain operations of the hot beverage brewer based on the type of brewbasket being used. These operations can include, but are not limited to,(1) setting a brew temperature, (2) setting a flow rate, (3)discontinuing the display of certain icons, identifiers or otherinformation on a display, and/or (4) enabling/displaying select visualindicators or virtual buttons.

As noted above, a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are providedwith the hot beverage brewer 100. In this regard, the hot beveragebrewer is provided with a side compartment 2200 as shown in FIGS. 22-23.The side compartment 2200 comprises a door 2204 hingedly attached to themain body 2202 of the hot beverage brewer which can be easily opened andClosed by a user of the hot beverage brewer via opening tab 2400. Thedoor hinge may reside along a top, side or bottom of the door 2204. Theside compartment door 2204 may swing open from 0 degrees to N degrees,where N is an integer (e.g., 135). The value of N may be selected suchthat a brew basket can be easily inserted into and removed from a basketchamber 2206 coupled to the side compartment door 2204. The basketchamber 2206 is sized and shaped to receive each of the plurality ofinterchangeable brew baskets in one or more orientations (as shown inFIGS. 26-27). A removable drip tray 2500 may be provided for maintaininga clean basket chamber 2206.

The present invention is not limited to the side compartment 2200architecture shown in FIGS. 22-23. In other scenarios, the sidecompartment comprises a removable tray instead of the basket chamber2206 coupled to the side compartment door 2204. Access to the removabletray is provided via a door. The door may be a separate component fromthe tray or integrated with the tray.

Referring now to FIG. 28, there is provided a flow diagram of anexemplary method 2800 for operating a hot beverage brewer. Method 2800begins with step 2802 and continues with step 2804. In step 2804, a brewbasket of a plurality of interchangeable brew baskets (e.g., brewbaskets 900, 1400 and 1800) is received within a basket Chamber of thehot beverage brewer, kt least two of the plurality of interchangeablebrew baskets are of different brew basket types and designed to holddifferent amounts of a crushed substance. Thereafter in steps 2806-2810,the hot beverage brewer: automatically detects the brew basket typeassociated with the brew basket residing within the basket chamber;selects first operations from a plurality of operations that should beperformed by the hot beverage brewer based on the brew basket type whichwas previously detected; and performs the first operations. Uponcompleting step 2810, step 2812 is performed where method 2800 ends orother operations are performed.

In some scenarios, the different brew basket types comprise a large brewbasket type for use with carafes and a small basket type for use withsingle serve containers. Each of the interchangeable brew basketscomprises at least one peg coupled thereto for triggering performance ofrespective operations of the plurality of operations by the hot beveragebrewer. The automatic detection of the brew basket type is facilitatedby engagement of a portion of the brew basket with a triggeringmechanism of the hot beverage brewer. The triggering mechanism comprisesa mechanical triggering mechanism, an optical triggering mechanism, anelectrical triggering mechanism, or a magnetic triggering mechanism.Thus, the engagement may cause a depression of a button, an actuation ofa switch, or creation of closed electrical circuit.

The first operations 2810 comprise at least one of the followingoperations: discontinuing a display of a visual indicator; selecting atleast two visual indicator or virtual buttons from a plurality of visualindicators or virtual buttons; enabling functionality of selectedvirtual buttons; facilitating a display of selected visual indicators orvirtual buttons on a display; setting a brew temperature; and setting aflow rate. The plurality of visual indicators or virtual buttons allow auser of the hot beverage brewer to specify a particular value for avolume parameter that is appropriate for the type of container in whichthe brewed hot beverage is to be disposed. The first operations can alsooptionally involve checking of there is enough water for that volumeparameter selection before the beverage brewer performs a brewingprocess.

All of the apparatus, methods, and algorithms disclosed and claimedherein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in lightof the present disclosure. While the invention has been described interms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those havingordinary skill in the art that variations may be applied to theapparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the method without departingfrom the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically,it will be apparent that certain components may be added to, combinedwith, or substituted for the components described herein while the sameor similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art aredeemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention asdefined.

The features and functions disclosed above, as well as alternatives, maybe combined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations or improvements may be made by those skilled in the art, eachof which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosedembodiments.

We claim:
 1. A method for operating a hot beverage brewer, comprising:receiving a brew basket of a plurality of interchangeable brew basketswithin a single basket chamber of the hot beverage brewer, where atleast two of the plurality of interchangeable brew baskets are ofdifferent brew basket types and designed to hold different amounts of abeverage substance; automatically detecting, by the hot beverage brewer,the brew basket type associated with said brew basket residing withinthe same basket chamber; selecting first operations from a plurality ofoperations that should be performed by the hot beverage brewer based onthe brew basket type which was previously detected; and performing thefirst operations by the hot beverage brewer.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the different brew basket types include a large brewbasket type for use with carafes and a small basket type for use withsingle serve containers.
 3. The method according to claim 1, whereineach of the interchangeable brew baskets includes at least one pegcoupled thereto for triggering performance of respective operations ofthe plurality of operations by the hot beverage brewer.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the automatic detection of the brew baskettype is facilitated by engagement of a portion of the brew basket with atriggering mechanism of the hot beverage brewer.
 5. The method accordingto claim 4, wherein the triggering mechanism includes a mechanicaltriggering mechanism, an optical triggering mechanism, an electricaltriggering mechanism, or a magnetic triggering mechanism.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the engagement causes a depression of abutton, an actuation of a switch, or creation of closed electricalcircuit.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the firstoperations includes at least one of the following operations:discontinuing a display of a visual indicator; selecting at least twovisual indicators or virtual buttons from a plurality of virtualbuttons; enabling functionality of selected virtual buttons;facilitating a display of selected visual indicators or virtual buttonson a display; setting a brew temperature; and setting a flow rate. 8.The method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of visualindicators or virtual buttons allow a user of the hot beverage brewer tospecify a particular value for a volume parameter that is appropriatefor the type of container in which the brewed hot beverage is to bedisposed.
 9. The method according to claim 1, further includingsimultaneously directing a hot beverage from the brew basket to a carafeand a single serve container. 10-20. (canceled)
 21. A method accordingto claim 1, further including starting a brew cycle only when it isdetermined that a sufficient amount of water is present in a water tankof the hot beverage brewer, where the sufficiency of the amount of wateris determined based on the brew basket type associated with said brewbasket residing within the basket chamber.
 22. A method according toclaim 1, further including selectively displaying at least a 12 cupvolume visual indicator exclusively when a brewed beverage is to betransferred to a non-thermal carafe.